The Core Four: Healthcare Equality Index Rating Criteria
The Healthcare Equality Index measures how equitably healthcare facilities in the United States treat their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender patients and employees. The index focuses on four core policy categories: patient non-discrimination; visitation; employment non-discrimination; and training in LGBT patient-centered care.
1. Patient Non-Discrimination Policies
a. Facility (or network-wide) patient non-discrimination policy (or patients' bill of rights) is publicly available and includes the term "sexual orientation"
b. Facility (or network-wide) patient non-discrimination policy (or patients' bill of rights) is publicly available and includes the term “gender identity”
- Learn more: Patient Non-Discrimination Policies
2. Visitation Policies
a. Facility (or network-wide) visitation policies explicitly grant same-sex couples (partners/spouses/significant others) the same access as different-sex couples
b. Facility (or network-wide) visitation policies explicitly grant same-sex parents the same access as different-sex parents for visitation of their minor children
- Learn more: Visitation Policies
3. Employment Non-Discrimination Policies
a. Facility (or network-wide) employment non-discrimination policy (or equal employment opportunity policy) includes the term “sexual orientation”
b. Facility (or network-wide) employment non-discrimination policy (or equal employment opportunity policy) includes the term “gender identity”
- Learn more: Equal employment opportunity policies
4. Training in LGBT Patient-Centered Care
Facility (or network) provides training for key staff members in LGBT patient-centered care
- Learn more: Training in LGBT Patient-Centered Care
